O’Kane: Teaming up with Paddy Fitzpatrick can help me achieve my World title goal

Eamonn O’Kane believes he is in the perfect place and perfectly placed to ensure he fights for a World title.

O’Kane is eligible to challenge for a World belt due to his top 10 World IBF ranking and is confident ‘big things’ will happen over the coming years.

The Derry middleweight has also relocated to Swindon to work with the Irish trainer of George Groves, a fighter O’Kane beat in the amateurs, Paddy Fitzpatrick- and is confident the link up will improve him as a pro.

The popular Irish champion and former amateur stand out admits leaving home is difficult, but believes the sacrifices involved will be worth it in the end.

“It is very difficult,” the married father of two told the Swindon Advertiser. “My wife, Nicola; we have been married since June 2007. I love her very much. It breaks my heart leaving them (five-year-old Charlie and three-year-old Oscar) every week.

“But I have got to do what I have got to do. I have got to make the best of what I can do. If it means a bit of extra effort and travel for period of time and I become a better boxer and achieve what I can achieve, then I will be able to retire happy.

“Over the next two to three years, I want big things to happen. I think I’m in the right place and I’m very grateful to Paddy and the team here for welcoming me in.”

“I want to achieve more. I want to fight for world titles and win world titles. There’s definitely a window there now.”